First off, it’s entirely possible that the Cubs have not been receiving any offers for Garza close to what they expect to get for him, and instead have decided that it is more valuable to sign him long-term instead.

On another note, if Garza is signed long-term and then traded, his value is automatically much, much higher. His value right now stands as a rental player with no guarantee of an extension. This could, in a way, be like a sign-and-trade. If he were to be locked up for the next four or five years, Garza, who is about the age of a pitcher in his prime, definitely nets the Cubs a couple top 100 types.

Or, as Heyman suggests, the Cubs could trade Garza and then attempt to re-sign him at the conclusion of the season. This seems somewhat unlikely, but another possibility all the same, and with negotiations already in place, they could pick up where the leave off at the end of the year. It’s a solid strategy– to get a couple of great prospects and then in the long run keep the player that you had traded– but it usually does not happen like that.

Garza is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last three starts, and takes the hill tonight against the White Sox. That’s all for now, and go Cubs!